National Park Galicica
National Park Galicica
National Park Galicica
4.5
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Chris
579 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
14 km one way. You pay 120 denars for admission, after 4:00 PM the people are gone and you can continue driving. So the park will not be closed.
Beautiful views to Macedonia, Albania and Greece...
Continue further and you will arrive at Prespa Lake. Had a drink in Stenje at hotel Riva. Faded glory It was said that it was an attraction for 20/30 years.
All in all, do it! Further on there are beautiful villages to discover!
Beautiful views to Macedonia, Albania and Greece...
Continue further and you will arrive at Prespa Lake. Had a drink in Stenje at hotel Riva. Faded glory It was said that it was an attraction for 20/30 years.
All in all, do it! Further on there are beautiful villages to discover!

Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLush101
Cardiff, UK2,580 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Think this covers a much larger area, but I'm reviewing the boat ride we took at Saint Naum Monastery as that is where the pin for this is. For a small fee, you can take a boat ride around the small lake next to Lake Ohrid and see the crystal clear springs - you can literally see down to the river bed below like looking through glass.
Our guide / boat owner spoke great English and it was a nice peaceful row around the lake with him telling us some of the history - definitely recommended.
Our guide / boat owner spoke great English and it was a nice peaceful row around the lake with him telling us some of the history - definitely recommended.
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim H
Europe3,943 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
From the Southeast corner of the lake to the mountain peak is a 16 kilometer walk. There are a couple observation decks on the way with view of the lake, city and sunsets. You'll come across a lot of wildlife: snakes, tortoises and lizards. There is a possibility you could see a Brown bear, wolves, wild boars or the Balkan lynx. Also, many species of birds and plants. When reaching the peak, everything is amazing and beautiful. Having a snake hook is a plus.
Written March 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrc282
World9,688 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
this park is definitely worth a visit.
initially the drive is underwhelming as you traverse through forest, but it starts to open up to a wide expanse of lake and stunning Alpine view as you approach the Lipova Pass area.
make sure you also detour to Leskovski Viewpoint
the park road closer to Lake Prespa side is in a better condition. it appears to be recently paved so it is as good as new.
it is also true that there is ticket control on the side closer to Lake Ohrid but nobody is manning the entey from Lake Prespa. but on the day I visited, it was raining and the ticket guy just waved me through.
initially the drive is underwhelming as you traverse through forest, but it starts to open up to a wide expanse of lake and stunning Alpine view as you approach the Lipova Pass area.
make sure you also detour to Leskovski Viewpoint
the park road closer to Lake Prespa side is in a better condition. it appears to be recently paved so it is as good as new.
it is also true that there is ticket control on the side closer to Lake Ohrid but nobody is manning the entey from Lake Prespa. but on the day I visited, it was raining and the ticket guy just waved me through.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,037 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The Galicica NP is a mountain range standing between two major lakes in North Macedonia - Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake.
It's a popular hiking and biking place with many paths, but we used it as a shortcut on our drive to Greece. There's an entry fee of around 5 Euros to enter it.
Hair pin curves and several places to stop high up to admire both lakes. Road pretty good, though with some potholes.
It's a popular hiking and biking place with many paths, but we used it as a shortcut on our drive to Greece. There's an entry fee of around 5 Euros to enter it.
Hair pin curves and several places to stop high up to admire both lakes. Road pretty good, though with some potholes.
Written September 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soccca
Tolmin, Slovenia1,808 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We visited Galičica on our way from Lake Prespa to Lake Ohrid. From the top of the pass there is a very nice view of both lakes. Since the weather was nice and sunny, we took a short walk in nature and enjoyed the beautiful views.
Written September 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayne S
Ohrid, Republic of North Macedonia48 contributions
Feb 2020
The park itself is great with stunning views of the lake, mountains & Albania across the lake. There are notice boards at all the viewpoints & in several of the nearby settlements giving general information & a comprehensive guide to the hiking trails. However, with one exception, these notices are so faded that you can no longer see any writing on them & some have been defaced by graffiti. I would suggest 2 improvements; Firstly, when new notices are put on the boards, cover them with a perspex sheet which will slow the fading & make them easy to clean. Secondly, there is no "you are here" icon so it's not easy to see where the trails are in relation to your position & as there is little or no signal it is not often possible to use GPS.. Perhaps paper maps could be sold when you enter the park?
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim H
Europe3,943 contributions
Jun 2023
National Park Galicica is between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. Absolutely, mesmerizing views of both lakes and mountains. Extremely peaceful. There is a fresh water spring to drink from and an area to rest. There are many trails to hike and enjoy nature and wildlife.
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Milan S
Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia192 contributions
Jul 2020
Beautiful country, amd mountain. Still untouched by modern life. The ATV tour is great and not too demanding. You can choose from 2, 4 and 6 hours tours. The problem is that this is not ECO tourism. The vehicles are noisy and polluting the environment.
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana F
Melbourne, Australia13 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
We visited Ohrid coincidentally on Orthidox Easter so it was packed. We were concerned that Galicica would be the same but on our day trip we were the only people around! I was surprised to find very little info here on how to get there and the hiking trails so here is our experience:
Got the bus from Ohrid at about 8:30 from Boulevard Touristichka (there are several stops) to Elshani (cost 50 denares pp each way). The journey is about 30km and 20 min. there are about 8 buses daily (less on weekends see attached timetable, calculate the bus returns times about 20min after the scheduled departure from Ohrid).
The hike starts were the last bus stop of Elshani is. We did T5 (4.8 km climbing 730m), then G5 to the right (the left goes to Velestovo) and along the ridge (10.6 km up to 2,000m), because of snow we started but did not finish G6 (5.6 km loop of the highest peaks).
The saddle is along G5 where you can see both Lakes Ohrid and Petra (this is a great place for lunch!
The way is marked by a red and white stripe on rocks or trees. THESE ARE OFTEN VERY HARD TO FIND!! I cannot stress this enough. if you go more than 50m without seeing a mark you are lost. the marks are there but you have to look very carefully. we got lost many times (only a very short way before having to turn back). the path is not marked on the ground so you must look for the marks. also, you must carry food and water as there is none on the mountain (2 water points in Elshani). I would classify the hike as moderately difficult but potentially very dangerous if it was been raining as a lot of it is climbing on the ridges on rocks.
Good luck and enjoy the beautiful Macedonian landscape!!
PS. we also walked to Velestovo from Ohrid and beyond the cross. this is also part of Galicica closest to Ohrid and has beautiful views of the town and the lake. we walked about 20km in 4 hours but you dont have to do that much and some people go up to Velestovo with their car. its worth it for the view. go down Boulevard Touristichka until you get to the crazy petro station you will see the Galicica map and climb the stairs next to it. keep going on the paved road all the way up!
Got the bus from Ohrid at about 8:30 from Boulevard Touristichka (there are several stops) to Elshani (cost 50 denares pp each way). The journey is about 30km and 20 min. there are about 8 buses daily (less on weekends see attached timetable, calculate the bus returns times about 20min after the scheduled departure from Ohrid).
The hike starts were the last bus stop of Elshani is. We did T5 (4.8 km climbing 730m), then G5 to the right (the left goes to Velestovo) and along the ridge (10.6 km up to 2,000m), because of snow we started but did not finish G6 (5.6 km loop of the highest peaks).
The saddle is along G5 where you can see both Lakes Ohrid and Petra (this is a great place for lunch!
The way is marked by a red and white stripe on rocks or trees. THESE ARE OFTEN VERY HARD TO FIND!! I cannot stress this enough. if you go more than 50m without seeing a mark you are lost. the marks are there but you have to look very carefully. we got lost many times (only a very short way before having to turn back). the path is not marked on the ground so you must look for the marks. also, you must carry food and water as there is none on the mountain (2 water points in Elshani). I would classify the hike as moderately difficult but potentially very dangerous if it was been raining as a lot of it is climbing on the ridges on rocks.
Good luck and enjoy the beautiful Macedonian landscape!!
PS. we also walked to Velestovo from Ohrid and beyond the cross. this is also part of Galicica closest to Ohrid and has beautiful views of the town and the lake. we walked about 20km in 4 hours but you dont have to do that much and some people go up to Velestovo with their car. its worth it for the view. go down Boulevard Touristichka until you get to the crazy petro station you will see the Galicica map and climb the stairs next to it. keep going on the paved road all the way up!
Written May 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. How i can reach to Nizhepole from Bitola? Is there is a bus? What about schedule? Thanks.
Written May 5, 2022
Il pacco é enorme, altro che piccolo!
Written October 27, 2019
Flory M
Tel Aviv, Israel
אשמח לקבל מסלול ואטרקציות ב National Park Galicica ובסביבה
תודה רבה
פלורי
Written August 6, 2019
Zijn er excursies in het Nederlands in Ohrid naar Naun, Bitola, de natuurparken of naar Shopje en de Masca kloof?
Written July 13, 2019
Wat is de beste manier om naar het natuurpark te gaan? Is het gemakkelijk om dit via een taxi te doen? Wij kunnen helaas geen auto huren. En hoe is de temperatuur op deze berg? Wij gaan midden juni tot begin juli naar Orhid.
Written May 19, 2019
Per auto of een excursie met Lale Tours in Ohrid
Written May 20, 2019
I'm thinking of doing the Magaro trail tomorrow.Does anyone perhaps know the approximate cost of a taxi from Ohrid up to Lipova(starting point of trail?) I'm reluctant to rely on catching a lift with someone from the main road up to Lipova,would rather chance my luck on the way back.Thanks.
Written May 16, 2019
Καλησπέρα, ετοιμάζομαι με παρέα φίλων να κάνουμε ταξίδι προς την Οχρίδα και αυτό που θα θέλαμε να δούμε είναι το κατά πόσο είναι εφικτό να διανύσουμε την εναλλακτική διαδρομή από το Πάρκο Γκαλιτσίτσα προς την Ελλάδα. Θα μπορούσατε να μου δώσετε περαιτέρω πληροφορίες για τις συνθήκες; Ο δρόμος είναι ασφαλτοστρωμένος; Μπορεί να διανυθεί με ευκολία έχοντας ένα απλό Ι.Χ.; Ή υπάρχουν γενικά δυσκολίες; Ευχαριστώ πολύ!
Written February 4, 2019
Hi. Will be in Ohrid at the end of March. Interested in visiting St Naum as well as Park Galicica. Are boat rides in the springs near St Naum available in March? thanks
Written February 1, 2019
Check with Restaurant Ostrovo in Sv. Naum directly. The boats depart from their premises. They would know.
Written February 3, 2019
I am interesting in going hiking to Magaro. I have read that some of hikers used local guides to go there. Can you recommend any of them? Were you satisfied with that guiding and what was the total (and particural) cost of that tour?
Thanks for answering.
Written October 4, 2018
As a group we hired Dimitri as a walking guide, twice during our recent trip to Ohrid and I would definitely recommend him. Dimitri will be able to help you plan a walk to meet your needs. Whilst he is based near Ohrid I know he does travel with his work and he discussed walking in other parts of Macedonia with us.
I am unable to include his contact details in this response, but if you search for Hiking Guide Ohrid you should find these.
Written October 4, 2018
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